O'Hearn expects a double digit tax increase

SCHUYLER COUNTY—Schuyler County Administrator Tim O’Hearn said the 2013 budget is facing a “double digit tax increase,” but added the preliminary budget numbers will not be released until Wednesday, Oct. 10. O’Hearn said one of the largest driving forces of the budget shortfall is the nearly $1 million annual increase in costs for juvenile detention and foster care. He explained the county budgeted $83,000 in 2011, but the cost grew to over $1 million for 2012. “The forecast is bleak at this point,” said O’Hearn. He added the county expects that trend to continue for 2013. O’Hearn explained the number of cases has increased and the county expects there to be more. Other increasing costs O’Hearn pointed to include health insurance and pensions. He said “it’s going to be very difficult to meet the tax cap.” The Schuyler legislature is reviewing revenue and expenditures to create the 2013 budget. Last year, the legislature approved a $42,544,846 budget. This included a 2.1 percent tax levy increase.